Hollywood, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 3.23(F), Zoning and Land Development Regulations
- Distance separation
- 2,500 ft between massage establishments
- License posting
- Certificate of Use plus state/local therapist license
- Salon mall cap
- 25% of suites, 2 therapists per suite
- Variance policy
- None permitted under § 3.23
Summary
Every massage establishment in Hollywood must hold a Certificate of Use under § 3.23(F) and post it, along with each therapist's state and local license, in plain view. New locations must also clear a 2,500-foot buffer from any other massage establishment before the city issues that certificate.
F. There shall be a 2,500 linear foot distance separation requirement between a massage establishment and another massage establishment. All massage establishments shall adhere to any and all state law requirements and shall abide by the following provisions: 1. All massage establishments shall ensure that all massage therapists shall post in an easily viewable conspicuous place his or her state and local licenses. 2. All massage establishments apply for a Certificate of Use pursuant to the City's Code of Ordinances. The massage establishment shall post in an easily viewable conspicuous place its Certificate of Use.
Full Breakdown
23(F) of the Zoning and Land Development Regulations sets a 2,500 linear foot separation between one massage establishment and the next, measured property line to property line, and layers licensing duties on top of the spacing rule. Every massage establishment must apply for a Certificate of Use, post that certificate where customers can see it, and require each massage therapist to display a current state and local license in the same conspicuous fashion; this sits on top of, not in place of, whatever the state board otherwise requires.
The distance rule carries four built-in exemptions: massage suites inside a hotel of 75 rooms or more, or a licensed health care facility or clinic; licensed therapists working a city-approved special event; an accessory massage use that stays under 25 percent of the floor area of the main business and carries no exterior signage; and 'salon malls' of at least 2,500 square feet, where no more than 25 percent of the leased suites may go to massage therapists, each suite is capped at two licensed therapists, and both the landlord's and each tenant's Certificates of Use and state licenses must stay active and posted. 23 distance requirements for any reason.
Violations & Fines
Opening or operating without the required Certificate of Use, or inside the 2,500-foot buffer without qualifying for an exemption, is referred to the city's Special Magistrate under Chapter 36. Section 36.29 lets the Magistrate impose fines up to $1,000 per day the violation continues and up to $5,000 per day for a repeat violation, plus a recordable lien; absent a specific penalty, § 10.99's general fine of up to $500 or 60 days' imprisonment applies, with each day counted separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hotel spas need to meet the 2,500-foot rule?
What must be posted inside a Hollywood massage business?
Can a salon suite offer massage without its own Certificate of Use?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hollywood
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hollywood to another location·View the Florida business licensing & operations overview
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Massage Establishments in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Broward County handle massage establishments.